The Centrality of Christ and Reading Scripture

Reading through the Scripture is a very important practice for the believer. By doing so we are exposing ourselves to God’s word which in turn provides “us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). As we read through it, it ought to be read with a holy appetite desiring to know more about our Lord. What about reading the Old Testament? We should be considering how it points to the Lord Jesus Christ because the Scriptures are about Him. Consider this following quote from the Doctor (Martyn Lloyd-Jones):

“Now as soon as we, as evangelical Christians, approach this great subject of revelation, we come immediately to the great and central fact of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has revealed Himself in other ways. He has revealed Himself in nature, and the apostle Paul argues in Romans (1. 19 ff.) that we are without excuse if we do not see Him there. Yet, there we do not see God as He really is because of our sin. The revelation is there, but we do not see it. God has also revealed Himself in history. Further, God has revealed Himself to the Old Testament fathers in various ways. But, as evangelical Christians, we start with the great central fact of the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole Bible is really about Him. The Old Testament looks forward to Him. It tells us that Someone is coming. The promise seems vague, nebulous and indefinite at some points, clearer and more specific at others. But there it is. God is going to do something, and Someone will come. At last, the Voice will be heard. An authority is going to speak. The Old Testament attitude is one of waiting on tiptoe, as it were. Then, of course, as soon as we come to the New Testament we find it is full of Him.”[1]

I find this very practical. When I read the Scripture I read them so as to know more about my Lord. When it comes to reading the Old Testament, it is to be read with great anticipation of the coming Messiah. I trust that your reading of the Scriptures this coming year will be rewarding and exciting!